Syed Shamshad Nasir, Missionary, USA
Muhammad Ahmad Sahib of Detroit reports that the regional missionary, Shamshad Nasir Sahib represented Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Detroit at the 53rd interfaith event titled “Interfaith prayer for the nation and the world”.
The event was organised by the Universal Peace Federation USA and was held virtually with speakers participating from the three main religions. The event was held on 8 April 2021.
The moderator of the event, Archbishop George A Stallings kicked off the programme by introducing himself and welcoming the participants from across the globe. He then introduced the speakers, Cantor Roger Scully, Bishop Cortiz H Liggins and Shamshad Nasir Sahib, representing the Jewish community, Christianity and Islam, respectively.
He invited Cantor Roger Scully who read prayers from the Hebrew script. The prayers focused on the praise of God Almighty and His mercy and compassion. He then prayed for the safety of all from the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. He thanked the United Peace Federation for inviting him to the event.
Then Bishop Coriz H Liggins was invited to give his presentation. He represented the senior pastor of the Renewed Hope House of Worship of Kansas City. He provided prayers from the Christian script and traditions praying for the country, humanity as well as the world.
The moderator then introduced Shamshad Nasir Sahib. Shamshad Nasir Sahib thanked the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) for inviting him to the programme. He said, “On behalf of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, I offer you greetings of peace which is the traditional Muslim greetings.” He then provided a brief introduction of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya by saying, “I belong to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community which is currently present in over 200 countries worldwide. We believe and claim that the Messiah that has been foretold by many religions and their scriptures has come in the person of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas of Qadian, India. He laid the foundation of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community on 23 March 1889.”
He continued that we believe God as One, without associating any partners. The Promised Messiahas in his teachings emphasised to worship only one God, to utter no falsehood, invent no lies, to cause no harm to anyone and to restrain your passions. Shamshad Sahib read many quotes from the teachings of the Promised Messiahas.
In the end, Dr Michael Jenkins, President Universal Peace Federation was invited to say a few words and provide an introduction to the UPF. He also thanked and appreciated all the speakers.
At the conclusion, Tomiko Duggan of the Universal Peace Federation thanked all the participants and the presenters for taking the time to attend the event.
More than 35 people attended the event, which was also broadcast on Facebook. People from many other countries including Pakistan were in attendance.